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HOTEL REVIEW
After years of laying derelict, the 18th
century country hall on the grounds
of Middlesbrough Football Club’s
training complex has been remodelled
by RTR Design into a £50m luxury
hotel with spa and golf course.
Rockliffe Hall
Durham
Words: Catherine Martin Photography: Courtesy of Rockliffe Hall
he North East of England Having stood empty for several years, result, references to plant life are omnipresent
T
has more than its fair share of the country house, located in the village of through artwork and textiles, and also in less
country piles: De Vere Slaley Hurworth, near Darlington, has now been obvious ways. Further hints to a bygone era
Hall, Macdonald Linden Hall painstakingly restored to its former glory. include a literary tribute to author Lewis
Hotel, and von Essen Seaham Hall to name but Architects Browne Smith Baker were Carroll, who is said to have penned one of his
a few. The latest addition to this grand line up tasked with transforming the site – owned by short stories here.
however, has an extra feather or two in its cap. Middlesbrough FC Chairman Steve Gibson According to the designers, understanding
Not only does it boast a traditional Old Hall – and creating a newbuild extension to the history of the house and its various rooms
and sympathetic newbuild wing with 50,000ft
2
complement the existing structure. were crucial in moulding its future use. The
spa and wellness facility, Rockliffe Hall features The aim of both architect and interior Cocktail Bar, Morning Room and Drawing
one of the longest golf courses in Europe, and designers RTR Design was to create a seamless Room have been redecorated in a similar
local fare cooked up by Michelin-starred chef link between the old and the new. This was style to their original presentation, reflecting
Kenny Atkinson. achieved by combining “traditional details with the character of the Old Hall. The Drawing
more contemporary ones to create a unified Room is reminiscent of Victorian times with an
image,” explains Samantha Terry, Managing oversized mirror perched above the fireplace,
Director of RTR, resulting in what she calls brass chandeliers and wall lamps, and Damask-
“timeless elegance”. style wallpaper. Armchairs and settees are
The original grandeur of the Old Hall upholstered in regal red and gold stripes with
provided much of the inspiration for the exposed wooden framework, and the look is
design concept, along with its rich history and completed with an original panelled ceiling and
former residents, namely Quaker banker and heavy drapes framing the bay windows.
keen horticulturist Alfred Backhouse. As a The Morning Room, where ladies would
088 MARCH / APRIL 2010 WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM MARCH / APRIL 2010
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